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But Elric had not come to him with more anger about Lukas. He had come to tell him that he had spoken with Lukas through some fae magic Kerik had conjured. And that Lukas had told him he was a prisoner in the palace. That should have been some kind of comfort. And it was. He is relieved beyond words to hear that Lukas is alive. Despite Perl’s assurances that all five of them are shielded from death, the fact Lukas could already be lost and their quest with it has haunted him.

But the rest of what Elric had told him was so much worse.

Inez is also a prisoner in the Rose Palace. And Inez will be wed to Atticul at the Ascension.

Damon curses himself. He has truly failed Inez. He should have been a husband to her. He should have covered her and given her sons. He signed that paper on Sanvicta, giving her away to him. And although Atticul likely never used it, instead proclaiming him dead, the fact he did sign it is another barb.

And Atticul has that paper. Perhaps he has shown it to Inez. The thought makes Damon feel sick with rage.

He told Inez to leave Sanglora when he rode north. But she wanted to stay. To make things right with her household before she fled. Neither of them had thought Atticul might close the roads so fast, but he had. He had trapped her in Attar and he had rid himself of Doroth Zain. Now there was nothing to stop him taking her to wife.

So Damon has two barbs through his heart. Two people he ought to have protected and has failed.

He stands, a foul energy is alive in his body. He stamps out of the stableyard, through the gardens and to the edge of the frozen pond.

He hears Lyr calling his name. But all he can think about is that he will kill Atticul. He should have done so long ago, no matter the consequences. All those years, it was only for the sake of his father that he never let Atticul’s taunts ignite murderous violence between them.

Now his father is gone. He is already a condemned man. What is to stop him?

And he can thank Zai that he will be able to destroy this demon and his demon of a brother in one swing of the Amber Blade.

He looks at the frozen pond. A murky shadow of his own face stares back from the ice. Did he just thank Zai?

“Damon?”

Lyr is picking his way across the snow and ice, wrapped in a fur cloak. He looks so beautiful, sweet concern on his face. There is a bravery in Lyr that Damon has never known in any other man.

When he reaches Damon, Lyr says, “What is wrong? Please tell me. What did Elric say to you?”

Damon should not tell him. Lyr has endured enough. He should not have to share Damon’s concerns. Damon’s failures. “It’s nothing, really. I am sorry. I will come soon. We must leave before the sun climbs any higher in the sky.”

“Don’t do this, Damon, please.” Lyr’s voice is so soft. Damon can hear the crack in it.

“Lyr, my love, please, do not ask me.”

“I have already asked Elric,” Lyr says, a petulant tone laid over hurt. “I know he told you that the Lady Inez was to be married to Atticul. Please Damon, you have to stop this. I know you have much on your mind, but please. Stop keeping it all from me. All you do is speak with Doroth and pace the hall alone. You must share your burdens with me. I am yours. We are wed.”

Damon reaches out and takes Lyr’s frozen hands. “Lyr, I am sorry. You are right. I just… I do not know if I can do this. You suffered so much and it was in service of destroying this demon that now stalks the Rose Palace. And if I fail, every mark that was put upon you, every harm that was done to you was for nothing. How can I share my fears with you, when my fear is that I will fail you?”

Lyr smiles a smile that Damon thinks ought to melt all his troubles away. But it does not. “Damon,” he says, “you have already taken me away from that witch and helped slay her. And you have given me the sweetest life I could dream of. Your love, your body… I would go through everything I went through all over again if it won me you.”

Damon looks up at Lyr, his throat aches. “Lyr, do not say that. You should never have been tortured by that witch. And you did not earn me by suffering.”

“No. I know. But Damon, it is the truth. If I did have to do that to earn you, I would. I know you would do anything for me. I know you would give your body to protect me. And I know you would do the same for Inez.”

“I do not love her as I love you.”

Lyr puts a finger against Damon’s lips, stopping any further words. “Damon, I know that too. I was jealous of Inez. When I lived in Sanglora Manor I burned with it. And when we returned to Sanglora I felt that jealousy reignite. To see Sanglora, all you had left behind, it was hard not to think that you might have regretted all you sacrificed for me.”

Damon takes Lyr’s wrist, moving his hand away. “Lyr, I have never thought so for a moment. I would have given more for you. Even if that flogging had taken my life.”

“Yes, yes,” Lyr breathes. “My thoughts are clearer now that Jareleezi is dead. And just as I did not need to suffer under her dark magics to earn you, you should not have had to sacrifice all you had made of your life to earn me. I understand that you feel that you betrayed Inez somehow. I understand that guilt lies upon your heart. But she will not marry Atticul. We cannot allow that to happen.”

“No,” says Damon. “No, we cannot.”

“Damon please, hear me, I believe in you. You will ride to Attar. You will slay Atticul. You will defeat Ur-Durik. Not for me. For all the world. You will do it. You are the One Man Army. You were born to do this. All will be well.”

Lyr’s words should lighten Damon’s heart. But they do not. There is more he fears than failure to defeat Ur-Durik. “And what then?”